B
New England Patriots
The Patriots finally solved quarterback, and it carried them to a B.
by NE4EVER ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
The value of the weekend has a name and a slot: Malik Mustapha, slot 231, roughly 61 picks past where he belonged. It nets out to a B, which feels about right.
So much rides on Caleb Williams that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. They will regret leaving interior defensive lineman for another day if the season turns on it.
They are betting Holker proves the room right and everyone else wrong. They went 6 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
Caleb Williams in Round 1, Pick 3 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The roster fit checks out.
Steal is underselling it; Laiatu Latu at the Round 2 slot is a heist with the alarm still ringing. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Patrick Paul at pick No. 68 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
They let Caelen Carson come to them and pounced at Round 4, Pick 3. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
They paid up for Dallin Holker at the 137th overall pick when waiting would have done the job. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Luke McCaffrey at the 180th pick is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Jha'Quan Jackson is a better player than the Round 6 slot suggests; smart patience, rewarded. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They will replay Malik Mustapha at pick 231 for years; that is how good the value is. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.